Adams
Yes
Yes
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Fordham Creek is recognized as the finest Class I trout stream in Adams County supporting strong naturally reproducing populations of Brook, Brown and Rainbow Trout (Ironside). Siltation and sedimentation are existing problems throughout the stream resulting in the loss of spawning substrate for fish as well as the loss of very valuable pool cover. A trout habitat improvement project was performed in the summer of 2001. The work that was done included the brushing of the streambank, the installation of brush bundles, which narrowed the stream channel, and the installation of overhead cover and mid-channel cover. Future work on the Fordham could include the installation of sediment traps to collect shifting sediment, the installation of overhead cover and mid-channel cover (Spaeth 2002).
The towns of Richfield and Lincoln is located within the upper portion of the Fordham Creek watershed. This is a wind erosion control priority area where sediment could enter the surface water. Nutrient and pesticide loading may also be impacting water quality (Schultz).
Date 2011
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Fordham Creek, T18N, R6E, Section 34 Surface Acres= 7.9, Miles= 5.0, Gradient = 8.9 feet per mile
A clear, hard water stream that has primarily a sand bottom and which flows in a
westwardly direction into Little Roche-a-Cri Creek. It is considered to be one of the
better trout streams in west central Wisconsin and brook, brown, and rainbow trout are
present. Natural reproduction of trout is very successful. Northern pike are scarce.
During the February, 1963, groundwater survey, the entire stream had open water. A
considerable amount of the land along this stream has been subdivided into lots. A total
of 11 private dwellings were counted during the investigation. Beaver are present and broods
of mallard and wood ducks may be found. Access by road crossings is available at four sites.
From: Klick, Thomas A. and C.W. Threinen. 1966. Surface Water Resources of Adams County:
Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison, WI.
Date 1966
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
General Condition
Fordham Creek was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was meeting this designated use and was not considered impaired.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Condition
Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.
Reports
Recommendations
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Management Goals
Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable
Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.
Monitoring
Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.
Grants and Management Projects
Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 1352200 | Fordham Creek | 10013402 | Fordham Creek at 10TH Avenue | 5/23/2008 | 5/6/2017 | Map | Data |
| 1352200 | Fordham Creek | 10030208 | Fordham Creek at 8th Dr | 5/12/2009 | 10/10/2024 | Map | Data |
| 1352200 | Fordham Creek | 10010734 | Fordham Creek at 6th Court | 5/6/2017 | 5/6/2017 | Map | Data |
| 1352200 | Fordham Creek | 10053848 | Fordham Creek CTH J. East | 11/15/2017 | 8/29/2023 | Map | Data |
| 1352200 | Fordham Creek | 10008904 | Fordham Creek CTH J (West) | 10/8/2003 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 1352300 | Unnamed | 10049387 | Unnamed Tributary to the Fordham Creek at 8th Avenue | 5/6/2017 | 5/6/2017 | Map | Data |
| 1352200 | Fordham Creek | 10013403 | Fordham Creek (2) Tuttle Property | | | Map | Data |
| 1352200 | Fordham Creek | 10030219 | Fordham Creek at CTH J | 5/12/2009 | 3/15/2024 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Fordham Creek is located in the Little Roche A Cri Creek watershed which is 196.20 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (55.60%), agricultural (23.20%) and a mix of wetland (9.70%) and other uses (11.50%). This watershed has 108.40 stream miles, 12,554.07 lake acres and 18,156.97 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Medium for runoff impacts on streams, Low for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.